Game system, game controller

ABSTRACT

A first game controller that can be used by both a first game apparatus and a second game apparatus transmits its operation data by using a data format having a first data region including a header, a second data region including key data, and a third data region including data of an extended controller. A second game controller that can be used by the first game apparatus also uses a data format having similar three data regions, but the second data region is merely secured as a region, while all operation information is included in the third data region and transmitted.

This application is the U.S. national phase of International ApplicationNo. PCT/JP2012/003446, filed May 25, 2012, which designated the U.S. andclaims priority to Japan Application No. 2012-097099, filed Apr. 20,2012, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a game system and a game controller,and more particularly, to a game controller operated with both hands.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a game apparatus has been known which includes, as astandard controller, a game controller held and operated with one hand.As an example of an extended controller of the game apparatus, a gamecontroller has been known which is held and operated with both hands,and includes two sticks, a cross key, and a plurality of operationbuttons.

CITATION LIST Non Patent Literature

-   [NPL 1] “Instruction Manual for Classic Controller Pro”, Nintendo    Co., Ltd., Aug. 1, 2009

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The above-mentioned extended controller having two analog sticksimproves operability in a game. However, there is a case where the gamecontroller is difficult to operate under a specific condition. Forexample, in a case where the two sticks are positioned near the centerof the controller (to the front side relative to a cross key and ABXYbuttons) and both the sticks are simultaneously tilted inward, since thespace between the two sticks is narrow, it is difficult to tilt thesticks. Further, the sticks may impede a player from operating buttons.In particular, when operating a home button, a plus button, or a minusbutton, a player should press the button with a finger beyond the stick,and therefore, the player cannot press the button quickly. Further,since the two sticks are distant from L and R buttons, it is difficultto simultaneously operate the two sticks and the L and R buttons.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a two-handedgame controller which is easy to operate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game system anda game controller which reduce the burden on development of softwaresuch as games when the above-mentioned easy-to-operate game controlleris used.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a gamesystem and a game controller which reduce the cost related tomanufacturing of the easy-to-operate game controller.

Solution to the Problems

The above object is achieved by the following configuration examples,for example.

A configuration example is a game system including at least a first gameapparatus, a first game controller, and a second game controller. Thefirst game controller can be used by both the first game apparatus and asecond game apparatus that is another game apparatus havingcompatibility with the first game apparatus. The first game controllerincludes: a predetermined operation key; a sensor section; a connectionsection to which an extended controller is connectable; and a firsttransmission section that, during execution of a predetermined gameprocess, generates transmission data having a data format including afirst data region that contains predetermined header information, asecond data region that contains key data indicating the content ofoperation performed on the operation key, and a third data region thatcontains first operation data indicating the contents of operationsperformed on the sensor section and the extended controller, andtransmits the transmission data to the first game apparatus by means ofwireless communication. The second game controller includes: a firstoperation section including at least a plurality of operation keys; anda second transmission section that, during execution of a predeterminedgame process, generates transmission data in which the first dataregion, the second data region, and the third data region are arrangedin the same order as in the data format generated by the firsttransmission section, and predetermined header information is stored inthe first data region, second operation data indicating the content ofoperation performed on the operation section is stored in the third dataregion, and the second data region is merely secured as a region, andtransmits the transmission data to the first game apparatus by means ofwireless communication.

According to another configuration example, the first game controllermay have a vertically long housing. A plurality of operation keys may beprovided. The sensor section may include at least an image pickupsection, an acceleration sensor, and an angular velocity sensor. Thesecond game controller may include a housing having grips held by leftand right hands of a player. The first operation section may include: afirst stick that is provided at an upper left position in a frontsurface of the housing of the second game controller, which positionallows the player to operate the first stick with a thumb of his/herleft hand when the player holds the grips; a second stick that isprovided at an upper right position in the front surface of the housingof the second game controller, which position allows the player tooperate the second stick with a thumb of his/her right hand when theplayer holds the grips; a direction key that is provided at a positionclose to the center of the housing relative to the first stick on thefront surface of the housing, which position allows the player tooperate the direction key with the thumb of the left hand when theplayer holds the grips; a plurality of first type operation buttons thatare provided at a position close to the center of the housing relativeto the second stick on the front surface of the housing, which positionallows the player to operate the first type operation buttons with thethumb of the right hand when the player holds the grips; one or moresecond type operation button(s) that is provided at a position close tothe center of the housing relative to the first stick and the secondstick on the front surface of the housing, and above the direction keyand the plurality of first type operation buttons; a third typeoperation button that is provided at a position beneath the second typeoperation button(s) on the front surface of the housing, and between thedirection key and the plurality of first type operation buttons; and aplurality of fourth type operation buttons provided at positions in thevicinity of left and right ends of an upper surface of the housing ofthe second game controller, respectively, which positions allow theplayer to operate the fourth type operation buttons with his/her leftand right index fingers, respectively, when the player holds the grips.

According to another configuration example, the game system may furtherincludes a third game controller that wirelessly communicates with thefirst game apparatus by using a wireless communication protocoldifferent from that used by the first game controller and the secondgame controller.

According to another configuration example, the third game controllermay include: a display section; a second operation section; a videoreception section that receives video data from the first gameapparatus; a display control section that causes the display section todisplay a video based on the received video data; and a thirdtransmission section that transmits transmission data to the first gameapparatus, based on an operation performed on the second operationsection.

Another configuration example is a game controller that can be used whenconnected to a first game apparatus by using the same wireless protocolas that used by a first controller. The first controller is used by boththe first game apparatus and a second game apparatus that is anothergame apparatus having compatibility with the first game apparatus. Thefirst controller includes: an operation key; a sensor section; aconnection section to which an extended controller is connectable; and afirst transmission section that, during execution of a predeterminedgame process, generates transmission data having a data format includinga first data region that contains predetermined header information, asecond data region that contains key data indicating the content ofoperation performed on the operation key, and a third data region thatcontains first operation data indicating the contents of operationsperformed on the sensor section and the extended controller, andtransmits the transmission data to the first game apparatus by means ofwireless communication. The game controller includes: an operationsection including at least a plurality of operation keys; and a secondtransmission section that, during execution of a predetermined gameprocess, generates transmission data in which the first data region, thesecond data region, and the third data region are arranged in the sameorder as in the data format generated by the first transmission section,and predetermined header information is stored in the first data region,second operation data indicating the content of operation performed onthe operation section is stored in the third data region, and the seconddata region is merely secured as a region, and transmits thetransmission data to the first game apparatus by means of wirelesscommunication.

According to another configuration example, the game controller mayinclude a housing having grips held by left and right hands of a player.The control section may include: a first stick that is provided at anupper left position in a front surface of the housing of the gamecontroller, which position allows the player to operate the first stickwith a thumb of his/her left hand when the player holds the grips; asecond stick that is provided at an upper right position in the frontsurface of the housing of the game controller, which position allows theplayer to operate the second stick with a thumb of his/her right handwhen the player holds the grips; a direction key that is provided at aposition close to the center of the housing relative to the first stickon the front surface of the housing, which position allows the player tooperate the direction key with the thumb of the left hand when theplayer holds the grips; a plurality of first type operation buttons thatare provided at a position close to the center of the housing relativeto the second stick on the front surface of the housing, which positionallows the player to operate the first type operation buttons with thethumb of the right hand when the player holds the grips; one or moresecond type operation button(s) that is provided at a position close tothe center of the housing relative to the first stick and the secondstick on the front surface of the housing, and above the direction keyand the plurality of first type operation buttons; a third typeoperation button that is provided at a position beneath the second typeoperation button(s) on the front surface of the housing, and between thedirection key and the plurality of first type operation buttons; and aplurality of fourth type operation buttons provided at positions in thevicinity of left and right ends of an upper surface of the housing ofthe game controller, respectively, which positions allow the player tooperate the fourth type operation buttons with his/her left and rightindex fingers, respectively, when the player holds the grips.

According to another configuration example, the second transmissionsection may include, in the second data region, third operation dataindicating the content of operation performed on a part of the pluralityof operation keys included in the operation section, thereby to generatethe transmission data, and transmits the transmission data.

According to another configuration example, the second transmissionsection may regard, as the third operation data, data indicating thecontent of operation performed on the second type operation button amongthe plurality of operation keys included in the operation section.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention

According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a gamecontroller which is easy to operate. Further, it is possible to providea game controller that utilizes software asset of a subordinate model,and therefore realizes reduction in the hardware cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external view of a game system 1.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of afirst controller 5.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of anextended controller 6.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating internal configurations of thefirst controller 5 and the extended controller 6.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary structure of transmission data 300.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary structure of transmission data 300.

FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a left side view of a game controller.

FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a front view of the game controller.

FIG. 7C is a diagram illustrating a right side view of the gamecontroller.

FIG. 7D is a diagram illustrating a rear view of the game controller.

FIG. 7E is a diagram illustrating a top view of the game controller.

FIG. 7F is a diagram illustrating a bottom view of the game controller.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of asecond controller 10.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary structure of transmission data 300.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary structure of extended data 308.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an external configuration of a thirdcontroller 20.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a flow of processes performed betweenthe first controller 5, the second controller 10, and a game apparatus3.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A game system 1 including a game apparatus according to an embodiment ofthe present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1is an external view of the game system 1. Hereinafter, a game apparatusand a game program according to the present embodiment will bedescribed, taking a stationary game apparatus as an example. Referringto FIG. 1, the game system 1 includes a television receiver (hereinafterreferred to simply as a “television”) 2, a game apparatus 3, a firstcontroller 5, a second controller 10, a third controller 20, and amarker section 8. Each of the first controller 5, the second controller10, and the third controller 20 includes a communication section capableof wireless communication, and is wirelessly connected to the gameapparatus 3 when it is used. As for a communication standard and aprotocol adopted for the wireless communication, the first controller 5and the second controller 10 adopt the same communication standard andthe same protocol, while the third controller 20 adopts a communicationstandard and a protocol different from those of the first and secondcontrollers 5 and 10. The first controller 5 and the second controller10 communicate with the game apparatus 3 by using, for example,“Bluetooth (registered trademark)” as a communication standard, and aproprietary first protocol as a protocol. The third controller 20communicates with the game apparatus 3 by using, for example, “WiFiDirect” and a proprietary second protocol.

Further, an extended controller 6 is wire-connected to the firstcontroller 5 via a connector 53 described later. In this system, a gameprocess is executed on the game apparatus 3 based on a game operationusing the first controller 5, the second controller 10, and the thirdcontroller 20. These controllers can be used in combination(simultaneously). For example, if each of three players uses one of thecontrollers, the three players can play a game simultaneously.

The game apparatus 3 has downward compatibility with another existinggame apparatus (not shown). In other words, the game apparatus 3 hascompatibility with the another game apparatus (hereinafter referred toas a subordinate model), and has improved performance (that is, the gameapparatus 3 corresponds to a superordinate model). The first controller5 is identical to a controller that is used as a standard controller ofthe subordinate model (the extended controller 6 can also be used as anextended controller of the subordinate model). That is, the firstcontroller 5 is a controller that can be used by (that is compatiblewith) both the game apparatus 3 of the present embodiment and thesubordinate model.

Note that the second controller 10 and the third controller 20 cannot beused by the subordinate model. For example, the second controller 10 isallowed to establish wireless communication with the subordinate model(because the second controller 10 and the subordinate model use the samecommunication standard). However, after wireless connection has beenestablished, the second controller 10 recognizes that the connectiondestination is the subordinate model, and performs a control todisconnect the wireless connection. Thus, the second controller 10cannot be substantially used by the subordinate model.

Next, the first controller 5 will be described with reference to FIG. 2.FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first controller 5 seen from a toprear side thereof.

With reference to FIG. 2, the first controller 5 includes a housing 51and an operation section 52 including a plurality of operation buttonsprovided on the surface of the housing 51. The housing 51 of the presentembodiment has a substantially parallelepiped shape extending in alongitudinal direction from front to rear. The overall size of thehousing 51 is small enough to be held by one hand of an adult or even achild. For example, the housing 51 is formed by plastic molding.

At the center of a front part of a top surface of the housing 51, across key 52 a is provided. The cross key 52 a is a cross-shapedfour-direction push switch. The cross key 52 a includes operationportions corresponding to four directions (front, rear, right and left),which are respectively located on cross-shaped projecting portionsarranged at intervals of 90 degrees. A player selects one of the front,rear, right and left directions by pressing one of the operationportions of the cross key 52 a. Through an operation of the cross key 52a, the player can, for example, indicate a direction in which a playercharacter or the like appearing in a virtual game world is to move, orgive an instruction to select one of a plurality of options.

The cross key 52 a is an operation section for outputting an operationsignal in accordance with the above-described direction input operationperformed by the player. However, such an operation section may beprovided in another form. For example, the cross key 52 a may bereplaced with an operation section that has four push switches extendingin four directions corresponding to a cross, and may output an operationsignal in accordance with one of the four push switches pressed by theplayer. In addition to the four push switches, a center switch may beprovided at the center of the four push switches to form a compositeoperation section including the four push switches and the centerswitch. Alternatively, the cross key 52 a may be replaced with anoperation section which includes an inclinable stick (so-called ajoystick) projecting from a top surface of the housing 51 and whichoutputs an operation signal in accordance with an inclining direction ofthe stick. Still alternatively, the cross key 52 a may be replaced withan operation section which includes a disc-shaped and horizontallyslidable member and which outputs an operation signal in accordance witha sliding direction of the disc-shaped member. Still alternatively, thecross key 52 a may be replaced with a touch pad.

Behind the cross key 52 a on the top surface of the housing 51, aplurality of operation buttons 52 b to 52 g are provided. Each of theoperation buttons 52 b to 52 g is an operation section for outputting anoperation signal assigned thereto, when the player presses a headthereof. For example, functions as a No. 1 button, a No. 2 button, andan A button are assigned to the operation buttons 52 b to 52 d,respectively. Also, functions as a minus button, a home button, and aplus button are assigned to the operation buttons 52 e to 52 g,respectively. Operation functions are assigned to the operation buttons52 b to 52 g in accordance with a game program executed by the gameapparatus 3. In an exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 2, the operationbuttons 52 b to 52 d are arranged in a line at the center on the topsurface of the housing 51 in a front-rear direction. The operationbuttons 52 e to 52 g are arranged on the top surface of the housing 51in a line in a left-right direction between the operation buttons 52 band 52 d. The operation button 52 f has a top surface thereof buried inthe top surface of the housing 51, so as not to be inadvertently pressedby the player.

In front of the cross key 52 a on the top surface of the housing 51, anoperation button 52 h is provided. The operation button 52 h is a powerswitch for turning on or off the body of the game apparatus 3 by remotecontrol. The operation button 52 h also has a top surface buried in thetop surface of the housing 51, so as not to be inadvertently pressed bythe player.

Behind the operation button 52 c on the top surface of the housing 51, aplurality of LEDs 54 a to 54 d are provided. Here, a controller type(number) is assigned to the first controller 5 such that the controller5 is distinguishable from other controllers (the second controller 10,the third controller 20, and other first controllers 5). For example,the LEDs 54 a to 54 d are used for informing the player of thecontroller type that is currently set in the first controller 5.Specifically, when the first controller 5 transmits transmission data tothe game apparatus 3, one of the plurality of LEDs 54 a to 54 d isturned on in accordance with the controller type.

On the top surface of the housing 51, sound holes for outputting soundfrom a speaker to the external space are formed between the operationbutton 52 b and the operation buttons 52 e to 52 g.

On a back surface of the housing 51, a recessed portion is formed. Therecessed portion on the back surface of the housing 51 is formed in aposition in which an index finger or middle finger of the player ispositioned when the player holds the first controller 5 with one handand points a front portion thereof to the markers 8L and 8R. On a slopesurface of the recessed portion, an operation button 52 i (not shown inthe figure) is provided. The operation button 52 i is an operationsection acting as, for example, a B button.

On the top surface of the housing 51, an image pickup element 55 forminga part of an imaging information calculation section 59 described lateris provided. The imaging information calculation section is a systemfor: analyzing image data of an image taken by the first controller 5;identifying an area having a high brightness in the image; and detectinga position of a center of gravity, a size and the like of the area. Theimaging information calculation section 59 has, for example, a maximumsampling period of approximately 200 frames/sec, and therefore, cantrace and analyze even a relatively fast motion of the first controller5.

On the rear surface of the housing 51, a connector 53 is provided. Theconnector 53 is, for example, an edge connector, and is used forengaging and connecting the extended controller 6 or the like with aconnection cable.

Next, the extended controller 6 will be described. The extendedcontroller 6 is a game controller that is held and operated with bothhands. As shown in FIG. 3, the extended controller 6 includes two analogsticks 61 a and 61 b, a cross key 63 a, and operation buttons 63 b to 63h, on a front surface of a housing having left and right grips 68. Thetwo analog sticks are provided on the lower side of the front surface ofthe housing (near the bottom surface of the housing). The cross key 63 ais positioned above the analog stick 61 a, and the operation buttons 63e to 63 h are positioned above the analog stick 61 b. The operationbuttons 63 b to 63 d are positioned above the analog sticks 61 a and 61b and between the cross key 63 a and the operation buttons 63 e to 63 h.

Operation buttons 63 i and 63 j are provided at positions on an uppersurface of the housing, which positions are reached by left and rightindex fingers when the extended controller 6 is held with both hands,respectively. Further, operation buttons 63 k and 63 l (not shown) areprovided on the back surface side relative to the operation buttons 63 iand 63 j, respectively. Further, a connection cable 64 extends from theupper surface of the housing, and a connector 65 for connecting theextended connector 6 to the connector 53 of the first controller 5 isprovided at an end of the connection cable. By connecting the extendedcontroller 6 to the first controller 5 via the connection cable 64, theextended controller 6 becomes usable. Specifically, as described later,the content of operation performed on the extended controller 6 istransmitted to the first controller 5 (a first control section 56described later), and the first controller 5 generates transmission databased on the content of operation, and thereby the content of operationis transmitted from the first controller 5 to the game apparatus 3.

Next, the internal configurations of the first controller 5 and theextended controller 6 connected to the first controller 5 will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagramillustrating the configurations of the first controller 5 and theextended controller 6 connected to the first controller 5.

With reference to FIG. 4, the first controller 5 includes a firstcontrol section 56, a digital button section 501 corresponding to theabove-mentioned cross key 52 a and operation buttons 52 b to 52 i, asensor section 57, an LED section 502 corresponding to theabove-mentioned LEDs 54 a to 54 d, a vibration section (vibrator) 58, afirst microcomputer 59, and a connector 53. The first controller 5further includes a speaker, a sound IC, a battery, and the like, whichare not shown in FIG. 4.

The sensor section 57 includes an imaging information calculationsection 571, an acceleration sensor 572, and an angular velocity sensor573. The imaging information calculation section 571 includes aninfrared filter, a lens, an image pickup element 55, and an imageprocessing circuit, which are not shown in FIG. 4. The infrared filterallows only infrared light to pass therethrough, among light incident onthe front surface of the first controller 5. The markers 8L and 8Rprovided in the vicinity of the display screen of the television 2 areinfrared LEDs each outputting infrared light forward from the television2. Therefore, by providing the infrared filter, images of the markers 8Land 8R can be taken accurately. The lens converges the infrared lightthat has passed through the infrared filter, and outputs the infraredlight to the image pickup element 55. The image pickup element 55 is asolid-state image pickup element such as a CMOS sensor and a CCD, andtakes an image of the infrared light converged by the lens. Accordingly,the image pickup element 55 takes an image of only the infrared lightthat has passed through the infrared filter, and generates image data ofthe image. The image data generated by the image pickup element isprocessed by the image processing circuit. The image processing circuitcalculates the position of an imaging target (the markers 8L and 8R) inthe taken image. Further, the image processing circuit outputs theposition of the imaging target to the first control section 56.

The acceleration sensor 572 detects an acceleration (includinggravitational acceleration) of the first controller 5, that is, detectsa force (including gravity) applied to the first controller 5. Then, theacceleration sensor 572 outputs the detected acceleration to the firstcontrol section 56. Further, the angular velocity sensor 573 detects anangular velocity (per unit time) with respect to a yaw angle (an angularvelocity around the Y axis), an angular velocity (per unit time) withrespect to a roll angle (an angular velocity around the Z axis), and anangular velocity (per unit time) with respect to a pitch angle (anangular velocity around the X axis). The angular velocity sensor 573outputs the detected angular velocities to the first microcomputer 59.

The first control section 56 includes a memory, a wireless module, anantenna, and the like. With the use of the memory as a storage areaduring the process, the first control section 56 controls the wirelessmodule that wirelessly transmits transmission data to the game apparatus3. Further, the first control section 56 controls the operations of theLED section 502, the vibration section 58, the sound IC, and the like,based on data received by the wireless module from the game apparatus 3via the antenna. Further, the first control section 56 is connected tothe first microcomputer 59. The first microcomputer 59 is connected tothe angular velocity sensor 573. The first microcomputer 59 detects aninput to the angular velocity sensor 573, and notifies the first controlsection 56 of the detected input. Therefore, the first control section56 can obtain, via the first microcomputer 59, data outputted from theangular velocity sensor 573. The first microcomputer 59 is furtherconnected to the connector 53. That is, the first microcomputer 59 isconnected to a second control section 66 of a later-described extendedcontroller 6 via the connector 53, and therefore can obtain data(operation data and the like regarding the extended controller 6)outputted from the second control section 66. Then, the firstmicrocomputer 59 outputs, to the first control section 56, the dataobtained from the second control section 66. Based on these pieces ofdata, the first control section 56 generates data indicating the contentof operation (transmission data 300 described later), and transmits thetransmission data to the game apparatus 3 by using the wireless module(generation of the transmission data will be described later in detail).Thus, it is possible to notify the game apparatus 3 of the contents ofoperations performed on the first controller 5 and the extendedcontroller 6.

In the exemplary configuration shown in FIG. 4, data outputted from thedigital button section 501 is directly input to the first controlsection 56. However, the first microcomputer 59 may be provided betweenthe first control section 56 and the digital button section 501. Thatis, the first microcomputer 59 may detect an operation performed on thedigital button section 501, and notify the first control section 56 ofthe detected operation. In this case, a combination of the first controlsection 56 and the first microcomputer 59 can be regarded as a detectionsection having a function of detecting operations on the operationsections such as the digital button section 501.

Further, in FIG. 4, the extended controller 6 includes a second controlsection 66, an analog stick section 601 corresponding to the analogsticks 61 a and 61 b, a digital button section 602 corresponding to thecross key 63 a and the operation buttons 63 b to 63 l, and a connector65.

The second control section 66 detects inputs to the analog stick section601 and the digital button section 602, and generates extendedcontroller data 308 described later. Then, the second control section 66outputs the generated data to the first control section 56 via theconnector 65 and the first microcomputer 59.

Note that the extended controller 6 itself does not have a battery orthe like, and is supplied with power from the battery of the firstcontroller 5 via the connector 65.

Next, transmission data transmitted from the first controller 5 to thegame apparatus 3 will be described. The transmission data mainlyincludes data indicating the contents of operations performed on thefirst controller 5 and the extended controller 6 by the player (dataindicating a remaining battery level or the like is also included). Inthe present embodiment, as for a data format (which defines data to beincluded, the length of the data, and the like, and is referred tosimply as “format” hereinafter) of the transmission data, a plurality offormats have been defined in advance, and a developer is allowed toselect and use any of the plurality of formats depending on the contentof a game to be developed.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a format of the transmission data 300,which is used in the present embodiment. The transmission data 300consists of a header region 301, a base region 302, and an extendedregion 303. In the present embodiment, the transmission data 300 is, forexample, data having a fixed length of 27 bytes. In the presentembodiment, whichever format is used, the byte length of the headerregion is fixed to 6 bytes (the lengths of the base region 302 andextended region 303 vary depending on the used format). Further,whichever format is used, at least the header region 301 is included inthe transmission data 300.

In the header region 301, information (header information) including,for example, an ID for uniquely identifying the plurality of formats isstored. In the base region 302, data indicating the pressing state ofthe digital button section 501 is stored. Data stored in the extendedregion 303 appropriately varies depending on, for example, the gamecontent executed by the game apparatus 3 (in other words, an appropriateformat is used according to the game content). For example, in a certaingame process (a certain format), acceleration data obtained from theacceleration sensor 572 and angular velocity data obtained from theangular velocity sensor 573 are stored in the extended region 303. Inanother game, data indicating the coordinates of the imaging target,which is obtained from the imaging information calculation section 571,is stored in the extended region 303. In still another game, theacceleration data, the angular velocity data, and the data indicatingthe coordinates of the imaging target are stored in the extended region303. As shown in FIG. 1, when the extended controller 6 is connected tothe first controller 5 and a format that uses the extended controller 6is designated, data indicating the content of operation performed on theextended controller 6 is stored in the extended region 303.

The present embodiment will be described for the case where the extendedcontroller 6 is connected to the first controller 5. That is, thepresent embodiment will be described on assumption that, among theplurality of formats, the format is selected and used in which the dataindicating the content of operation performed on the extended controller6 is stored in the extended region 303. Specifically, as an example of aformat of the transmission data 300, a format shown in FIG. 6 is used.In this format, it is defined that the header region 301 has 6 bytes,the base region 302 has 10 bytes, and the extended region 303 has 11bytes. Since the first controller 5 can be used by (is compatible with)the subordinate model as described above, this format can also be usedby the subordinate model. In other words, the format used by thesubordinate model is used in the game process (game development) of thegame apparatus 3.

In FIG. 6, a report ID 305 that is an ID for uniquely identifying theplurality of formats is stored in the header region 301. In addition,information that allows the game apparatus 3 to identify the controlleris appropriately stored in the header region 301.

In the base region 302, digital button data 306 indicating the pressingstate of the digital button section 501 is stored. The data stored inthe base region 302 is generated by the first control section 56 basedon the output from the digital button section 501.

In the extended region 303, extended controller data 308 (hereinaftersimply referred to as extended data) is stored. The extended data 308 isgenerated by the second control section 66 based on the outputs from thedigital button section 602 and the analog stick section 601 of theextended controller 6. That is, the extended data 308 indicates thecontent of operation performed on the extended controller 6. Thegenerated extended data 308 is outputted from the second control section66 to the first control section 56 (via the connector 65).

The first control section 56 stores, in the extended region 303, theextended data 308 transmitted from the second control section 66 as wellas the data stored in the base region 302, and sets, in the headerregion 301, the report ID 305 corresponding to the format shown in FIG.6, thereby generating the transmission data 300. Then, the first controlsection 56 transmits the transmission data 300 to the game apparatus 3to notify the game apparatus 3 of the contents of operations performedon the first controller 5 and the extended controller 6 by the player.

In the above-described embodiment, only the header region 301 has afixed length. However, in another embodiment, the base region 302 andthe extended region 303 may have fixed lengths (data to be storedtherein appropriately varies).

Hereinafter, the second controller 10 will be described. FIG. 7illustrates an external view of the second controller 10. FIG. 7A is aleft side view of the second controller 10, FIG. 7B is a front view ofthe second controller 10, FIG. 7C is a right side view of the secondcontroller 10, FIG. 7D is a rear view of the second controller 10, FIG.7E is a top view of the second controller 10, and FIG. 7F is a bottomview of the second controller 10. The second controller 10 mainlyincludes: a housing 102 having left and right grips 103L and 103R(hereinafter also collectively referred to as grips 103); and anoperation section that includes two analog sticks projecting fromopenings provided at a front surface of the housing 102, and a pluralityof operation buttons (described later). The housing 102 of the presentembodiment, when viewed from the front side thereof, has a gentletrapezoid shape with its left-right direction being a longitudinaldirection. The housing 102 is a little recessed at its upper side, andis recessed more at its lower side than at the upper side. In otherwords, the housing 102 is shaped such that the grips 103L and 103Rextend toward the bottom surface side (toward the player when he/sheholds the controller). The front surface of the housing 102 issubstantially flat except the portions where the analog sticks areprovided. The portions where the analog sticks are provided are slightlyraised. The grips 103L and 103R are shaped so as to gently curve fromthe front surface to the back surface. Note that the housing 102 of thepresent embodiment is formed by plastic molding, for example.

A first analog stick 111 (hereinafter referred to as a left stick) isprovided on the left end of the front surface of the housing 102 and inthe vicinity of the upper surface of the housing 102, and a secondanalog stick 112 (hereinafter referred to as a right stick) is providedon the right end of the front surface of the housing 102 and in thevicinity of the upper surface of the housing 102. More specifically, theleft stick 111 is provided at a position that allows a player to operatethe left stick 111 with a thumb of his/her left hand that holds the grip103L (more preferably, a position on which the thumb of the left handthat holds the grip 103L is naturally put). The right stick 112 isprovided at a position that allows the player to operate the right stick112 with a thumb of his/her right hand that holds the grip 103R (morepreferably, a position on which the thumb of the right hand that holdsthe grip 103R is naturally put). Each of the left stick 111 and theright stick 112 is a stick that can be tilted down to an arbitrarydirection chosen from a 360° range, and is used by the player to give aninstruction about an arbitrary direction. Further, each of the leftstick 111 and the right stick 112 can be pushed toward the back surface.Thus, the left stick 111 and the right stick 112 also serve as pushbuttons. The left stick 111 and the right stick 112 act in accordancewith a program executed by an information processing apparatus (e.g., agame apparatus) to which the controller is connected. Since the intervalbetween the left stick 111 and the right stick 112 is increased ascompared to the conventional controller, even when the player tilts downthe left stick 111 and the right stick 112 toward the center of thehousing 102, the interval between the left and right thumbs of theplayer is not narrow, which allows the player to perform operationseasily.

A cross key (also referred to as a direction key) 21 is provided at aposition to the left of the substantial center position on the frontsurface of the housing 102, and near the center position relative to theleft stick 111, at which the player is allowed to operate the cross keywith the thumb of the left hand that holds the grip 103L. Specifically,the cross key 121 is provided at a position to the right of and beneaththe left stick 111. The cross key 121 is a cross-shaped four-directionpush switch. The cross key 121 includes operation portions correspondingto the four directions (front, rear, right and left), which arerespectively located on cross-shaped projecting portions arranged atintervals of 90 degrees. The player selects one of the front, rear,right, and left directions by pressing one of the operation portions ofthe cross key 121. The cross key 121 acts in accordance with a programexecuted by an information processing apparatus (e.g., a game apparatus)to which the controller is connected. The shape of the cross key 121 isnot limited to that shown in FIG. 7B. The cross key 121 may have anyshape as long as it allows the player to input the four directions. Forexample, the cross key 121 may have a shape of a round base with aprotruding cross shape, or may be a set of four keys separated from eachother.

Further, operation buttons 122A to 122D (hereinafter also referred to asa first operation button set) are positioned so as to form a crossshape, i.e., positioned rightward, downward, leftward, and upward,respectively, in an area to the right of the substantial center of thefront surface of the housing 102, and near the center of the housing 102relative to the right stick 112, at which the player is allowed tooperate the operation buttons 122A to 122D with the thumb of the righthand that holds the grip 103R. More specifically, the operation buttons122A to 122D are positioned so as to form a cross shape, i.e.,positioned rightward, downward, leftward, and upward, respectively, inan area to the left of and beneath the right stick 112. The operationbuttons 122A to 122D are appropriately assigned functions, respectively,in accordance with a program executed by the information processingapparatus to which the second controller 10 is connected. For example,the operation buttons 122A to 122D are used for determination operation,cancellation operation, and the like.

As described above, since the cross key 121 is positioned to the rightof and beneath the left stick 111, the ball of the thumb of the lefthand of the player reaches the position of the cross key 121 when theplayer moves the thumb with the base of the thumb being a fulcrum point.In other words, the player is allowed to move the ball of the thumb tothe position of the cross key 121 by only moving the thumb to the rightwith the base of the thumb being a fulcrum point, without particularlychanging the position of holding the grip 103L. In addition, the playeris allowed to return the thumb to the position of the left stick 111 bymoving the thumb to the left. That is, the player is allowed to easilymove the thumb between the left stick 111 and the cross key 121, therebyimproving the operability. In other words, when the player operates thecross key 121, it is possible to avoid the situation that the stick ispositioned between the tip of the thumb (the position of the cross-key)and the base of the thumb, and impedes the player's operation, whichresults in reduction in the operability.

Likewise, since the first operation button set (operation buttons 122Ato 122D) is positioned to the left side of and beneath the right stick112, the player is allowed to move the thumb of the right hand betweenthe right stick 112 and the first operation button set by only movingthe thumb with the base of the thumb being a fulcrum point. Thereby, theplayer is allowed to easily move the thumb between the right stick 112and the first operation button set, and thus the operability isimproved.

An L button 125L is provided at the left end of the upper surface of thehousing 102 and near the front surface of the housing 102, and a ZLbutton 126L is provided beneath the L button 125L (near the back surfacerelative to the L button 125L). An R button 125R is provided at theright end of the upper surface of the housing 102 and near the frontsurface of the housing 102, and a ZR button 126R is provided beneath theR button 125R (near the back surface relative to the R button 125R). TheL button 125L is provided at a position reached by an index finger of aleft hand that holds the grip 103L, and the ZL button 126L is providedat a position reached by a middle finger and a ring finger of the lefthand. The R button 125R is provided at a position reached by an indexfinger of a right hand that holds the grip 103R, and the ZR button 126Ris provided at a position reached by a middle finger and a ring fingerof the right hand. The L button 125L, the R button 125R, the ZL button126L, and the ZR button 126R are appropriately assigned functions,respectively, in accordance with a program executed by the informationprocessing apparatus.

Further, system operation buttons 123A to 123C are provided at aposition in the center of the front surface of the housing 102, near theupper surface of the housing 102, and between the left stick 111 and theright stick 112. The system operation buttons 123A to 123C (hereinafteralso referred to as a second operation button set) are assignedfunctions as a minus button, a home button, a plus button, and the like.These system operation buttons 123A to 123C are assigned operationfunctions, respectively, in accordance with a program executed by theinformation processing apparatus to which the second controller 10 isconnected. In the present embodiment, for example, operations to bedirectly controlled by the system of the game apparatus are assumed. Forexample, when the home button 123B is pressed, game processing, even ifit is being executed, is stopped, and the screen is changed to the homescreen. When the minus button 123A or the plus button 123C is pressed,the image displayed in the home screen is changed (paging or scrollingis performed). Since the left stick 111 and the right stick 112 arepositioned near the both ends of the upper surface, respectively, asufficient space is secured between the sticks, and a plurality ofsystem operation buttons can be provided in the space such that thesticks do not impede the player from operating the system operationbuttons.

Further, a power operation button 128 is provided at a position in thecenter of the front surface of the housing 102, near the bottom surfaceof the housing 102, and between the cross key 121 and the operationbuttons 122A to 122D (first operation button set). In other words, thecross key 121 and the first button set are spaced apart from each otherat a certain interval in the left-right direction (horizontal direction)in FIG. 7B, and the power operation button 128 is positioned between (inFIG. 7B, in the middle between) the cross key 121 and the first buttonset. The power operation button 128 is a power switch forremote-controlling the power of the information processing apparatusbody to be on and off. The power operation button 128 has a top surfaceburied in the front surface of the housing 102 so as not to beinadvertently pressed by the player. Since the left stick 111 and theright stick 112 are positioned near the upper surface, the player neednot move his/her fingers beyond the sticks when pressing the systemoperation buttons 123A to 123C or the power operation button 128, andthus the player can easily press the buttons.

Further, a plurality of indicators are provided on the front surface ofthe housing 102 and near the bottom surface relative to the poweroperation button 128. Specifically, LEDs 131A to 131D are provided. Aplurality of controllers may be connected to the information processingapparatus to which the controller 10 is connected. A controller type(number) is assigned to the second controller 10 such that the secondcontroller 10 is distinguishable from other controllers. The LEDs 131Ato 131D are used for informing the player of the controller type that iscurrently set in the second controller 10. The controller number isinstructed from the information processing apparatus. Specifically,while the second controller 10 is communicating with the informationprocessing apparatus, one of the plurality of LEDs 131A to 131D isturned on in accordance with an instruction from the informationprocessing apparatus. The LEDs 131A to 131D are provided between andbeneath the cross key 121 and the operation buttons 122A to 122D, andthe space between the cross key 121 and the operation buttons 122A to122D is increased at the lower side due to the arrangement of theoperation buttons 122A to 122D, and therefore, a sufficient space forproviding the plurality of LEDs is secured at the lower side. Further,while there is a case where the player moves the fingers inward beyondthe positions of the sticks when operating the sticks, it is rare thatthe player moves the fingers inward beyond the positions of the buttonswhen operating the buttons, and therefore, the plurality of LEDs areless likely to be covered with the fingers during the operation.Accordingly, the LEDs are highly visible during the operation.

Further, a charging indicator 132 is provided near the upper surface ofthe housing 102 relative to the second operation button set. Thecharging indicator 132 is used for informing the player of the remainingbattery level of the second controller 10, and the state of charge ofthe second controller 10, for example. For example, the chargingindicator 132 can inform the player of the state of charge by usingcolors of an LED. In contrast to the LEDs 131A to 131D, the chargingindicator 132 of the present embodiment is solely provided in a broadarea on the housing, which area is not likely to be covered with theplayer's hand during the operation, and therefore, is noticeable, whichallows the player to easily find a change of the indicator, for example,a change in the color of the indicator. Accordingly, the player easilyrecognizes a reduction in the remaining battery level.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7E, a charging connector 133 is provided at aposition in the center of the upper surface of the housing 102 and nearthe front surface of the housing 102. The charging connector 133 is, forexample, a connector corresponding to a mini USB terminal, and iscapable of charging the second controller 10 when it is connected to apower supply by using a predetermined cable.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7D, on the back surface of the housing 102, abattery cover 135 is provided in a center area sandwiched between theleft and right grips. A battery is stored inside the cover. Further, thecenter area of the housing 102 (hereinafter referred to as a batterystorage area) is recessed relative to the left and right grips and thearea where the ZL button 126L and the ZR button 126R are present (referto FIGS. 7A, 7C, 7E, and 7F). That is, the center area where the batteryis stored is recessed, and only this area is reduced in thickness (inother words, only the grips 103L and 103R and the area where the ZLbutton 126L and the ZR button 126R are stored are raised). In theconventional art, since the sticks are positioned near the center of thehousing, the thickness of the center portion of the housing is somewhatincreased due to influence of the sizes of parts, and the like. Incontrast, in the present embodiment, since the left stick 111 and theright stick 112 are provided outward when viewed from the back surface(near the both ends of the front surface), the thickness of the centerarea is reduced, which allows the player to easily hold the housing 102.Further, two small holes are opened in an upper end portion of thebattery cover 135. In one of the holes (the left-side hole in FIG. 7D),a connect button 136 is provided, which is used for establishingwireless connection (pairing) between the second controller 10 and theinformation processing apparatus. In the other hole (the right-side holein FIG. 7D), a reset switch 137 for resetting the second controller 10is provided.

Further, a vibrator that generates vibration based on a control signalfrom the information processing apparatus may be provided inside thegrips 103. Preferably, the vibrator is provided inside the grip 103L. Inother words, it is preferable that the vibrator be included in the leftstick 111 that is supposed to be used mainly for direction inputoperation, or in a grip on the side where the cross key 121 is present.When the player operates the second controller 10 with his/her bothhands, particularly when the player continuously operates the cross key121, more force is applied to the left hand (the left hand holds thegrip more tightly than the right hand). Therefore, it is considered thatthe second controller 10 is more likely to be supported by the handwhich mainly performs direction control, and vibration is more likely tobe transmitted to the player when the vibrator is provided in the grip103L.

In addition, a communication section (a first control section 201described later) for wireless communication with the informationprocessing apparatus is also included in the housing 102.

Hereinafter, the internal configuration of the second controller 10 willbe described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a block diagramillustrating the configuration of the second controller 10. In FIG. 8,the second controller 10 includes a first control section 201, a secondcontrol section 202, a second microcomputer 203, a first digital buttonsection 204, a second digital button section 205, an analog sticksection 206 (including a function of an analog stick as a push switch),a vibration section (vibrator) 207, an LED section 208, a batterycontrol section 209, and a battery 210. The first digital button section204 corresponds to the first operation button set and the secondoperation button set (the cross key 121, the operation buttons 122A to122D, and the system operation buttons 123A to 123C) among the pluralityof digital buttons provided on the second controller 10. The seconddigital button section 205 corresponds to the L button 125L, the Rbutton 125R, the ZL button 126L, and the ZR button 126R. The analogstick section 206 corresponds to the left stick 111 and the right stick112. The LED section 208 corresponds to the LEDs 131A to 131D and thecharging indicator 132. These sections are electrically connected toeach other. In other words, the second controller 10 is configured byroughly integrating the hardware configurations of the first controller5 and the extended controller 6. Further, power is supplied to eachsection via the battery control section 209 that is supplied with powerfrom the battery 210.

With reference to FIG. 8, the first control section 201 is electricallyconnected to the second control section 202 (by a I2C bus, for example).The first control section 201 is also connected to the secondmicrocomputer 203. The second microcomputer 203 detects an input to thefirst digital button section 204, and notifies the first control section201 of the detected input. Further, the second microcomputer 203 isconnected to a power operation button 128 and a connect button 136. Thesecond microcomputer 203 detects inputs to these buttons, and notifiesthe first control section of the detected inputs. The first controlsection 201 periodically confirms the input state of each button withthe second microcomputer 203.

A signal indicating an input operation performed on the first digitalbutton section 203 is output to the second microcomputer 203 and thesecond control section 202. The number of the buttons included in thefirst digital button section 204 is equal to the number of the buttonsprovided on the first controller 5 (except the power button). That is,regarding input operations performed on the buttons provided on thesecond controller 10 corresponding in number to the buttons provided onthe first controller 5, the input operations can be output to both thefirst control section 201 (via the second microcomputer 203) and thesecond control section 202.

On the other hand, input operations performed on the second digitalbutton section 205 and the analog stick section 206 are output to onlythe second control section 202.

The fundamental hardware configuration of the first control section 201is substantially identical to that of the first control section 56 ofthe first controller 5, and includes a memory, a wireless module, and anantenna. The content of (software-like) control of the first controlsection 201 basically corresponds to that of the first control section56 of the first controller 5. However, in contrast to the first controlsection 56, the first control section 201 in the second controller 10does not perform such control as to include, in operation data (a baseregion 302 described later) to be transmitted to the game apparatus 3,the result of detection of the input operation performed on the firstdigital button section 204. Thus, the first control section 201basically performs similar control to that of the first control section56 except that software control to include, in the operation data, theinput operation performed on the first digital button section 204 is notperformed. That is, only by slightly changing the control, a controlsection that is similar in hardware (or includes similar components) tothe first control section 56 can be used as the first control section201 of the second controller 10.

Further, the first control section 201 is able to generate and transmittransmission data by using any of the plurality of formats used in thedata transmission by the first controller 5 (more precisely, the firstcontrol section 201 may use a format that uses the extended region amongthe plurality of formats). In the present embodiment, the first controlsection 201 generates, as transmission data to be transmitted to thegame apparatus 3, transmission data in the same format as thetransmission data 300 shown in FIG. 6. That is, the first controlsection 201 is able to generate transmission data 300 by the formatwhich defines that the header region 301 has 6 bytes, the base region302 has 10 bytes, and the extended region 303 has 11 bytes. However, asdescribed above, the first control section 201 does not perform controlto include, in the base region 302, the result of detection performed onthe first digital button section 203. As a result, transmission data 300as shown in FIG. 9 is generated in which the content of data in the baseregion 302 is null data corresponding to 10 bytes.

The fundamental hardware configuration of the second control section 202is identical to that of the second control section 66 in the extendedcontroller 6, and the content of control thereof is nearly identical tothat of the second control section 66. That is, the second controlsection 202 performs detection of inputs to the first digital buttonsection 204 and the second digital button section 205, and detection ofinput to the analog stick section 206. Based on the detection results,the second control section 202 generates extended data 308. Further, thesecond control section 202 communicates with the battery control section209 to obtain information indicating the remaining battery level and thecharging state. The second control section 202 includes, in the extendeddata 308, the information obtained from the battery control section 209.Then, the second control section 202 outputs the generated extended data308 to the first control section 201.

An example of the content of the extended data 308 generated by thesecond control section 202 is shown in FIG. 10. With reference to FIG.10, data corresponding to upper 8 bytes of 11 bytes are assigned to dataindicating the result of detection of input to the analog stick section204 (specifically, 2 bytes for the X axis of the left stick 111, 2 bytesfor the Y axis thereof, 2 bytes for the X axis of the right stick 112,and 2 bytes for the Y axis thereof). Data corresponding to the remaining3 bytes are assigned to the result of detection of inputs (digitalbutton data) to the cross key 121, the first button set, the systemoperation buttons 123A to 12C, the L button 125L, the R button 125R, theZL button 126L, the ZR button 126R, and the left and right sticks 111and 112 as push buttons, and to data (battery-related data) indicatingthe remaining battery level and the charging state, for example.

Next, the third controller 20 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. Thethird controller 20 is connected to the game apparatus 3 by using awireless communication protocol different from that used by the firstcontroller 5 and the second controller 10, and can be used incombination with the first controller 5 and the second controller 10. Asshown in FIG. 11, the third controller 20 includes a housing whichgenerally has a horizontally long plate-like rectangular shape. Thishousing is small enough to be held by a user. A display section 21(e.g., an LCD) is provided near the center of the front surface of thehousing. A touch panel 22 is provided on the screen of the displaysection. Further, the third controller 20 includes, as other operationmeans, two analog sticks 23A and 23B, and a plurality of operationbuttons 24A to 24J. The analog stick 23A is provided to the left of thedisplay section 21, and the analog stick 23B is provided to the right ofthe display section 21. The operation button 24A (cross key) is providedto the left of the display section 21 and beneath the analog stick 23A,and the operation buttons 24B to 24E are provided to the right of thedisplay section 21 and beneath the analog stick 23B. The operationbuttons 24F and 24H are provided beneath the operation buttons 24B to24E. The operation button 24G is provided beneath the display section21, the operation button 241 is provided on the left end of the upperside surface of the housing, and the operation button 24J is provided onthe right end of the upper side surface of the housing.

A control section such as a microcomputer is provided inside the thirdcontroller 20. The microcomputer detects inputs to the touch panel, theanalog stick, and the operation buttons, generates operation dataindicating the contents of the inputs, and transmits the operation datato the game apparatus 3. Further, the microcomputer receives video datatransmitted from the game apparatus 3, and displays a predeterminedvideo on the display section, based on the video data.

Since the content of control performed by the third controller 20 anddata used for the control are not directly related to the presentembodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

Hereinafter, an example of a flow of a controller recognizing processperformed between the first controller 5 (the second controller 10) andthe game apparatus 3, and an example of a flow of an operation datatransmitting/receiving process performed after the recognition process,will be described with reference to FIG. 12. It is assumed that, inadvance of processes described below, a so-called pairing process (aprocess of identifying the connection destination) between eachcontroller and the game apparatus 3 has already been done.

Firstly, processes performed between the first controller 5 and the gameapparatus 3 will be described. With reference to FIG. 12, firstly, aprocess of connecting the first controller 5 (the extended controller 6may not be connected) to the game apparatus 3 is performed. In thepresent embodiment, after the game apparatus 3 is activated, the Abutton (operation button 52 d) of the first controller 5 is pressed, andthereby the first controller 5 is connected to (recognized by) the gameapparatus 3 (a predetermined controller type is assigned to the firstcontroller 5). Thus, the first controller 5 becomes usable.

Specifically, in the game apparatus 3, a process of displaying, on thetelevision 2, a message that prompts the player to “press the A buttonof the controller” is executed (P1). In another embodiment, such amessage may not be displayed.

When the player presses the A button of the first controller 5, thefirst control section 56 detects that the A button is pressed. Then, thefirst control section 56 starts a connection process described below.The A button is an example, and another button may be pressed.

Next, a connection process of establishing wireless connection betweenthe first control 5 and the game apparatus 3 is performed between thefirst control section 56 and the game apparatus 3 (P3, P4). For example,wireless connection between the first controller 5 and the gameapparatus 3 is established by executing a predetermined process based onthe protocol of Bluetooth (registered trademark). This process mayinclude a process of determining a controller type to be assigned to thecontroller connected to the game apparatus, and lighting any of the LEDs54 a to 54 d in accordance with the determined controller type.

After the wireless connection between the first controller 5 and thegame apparatus 3 has been established, transmission of transmission data(operation data) and a process based on the transmission data areappropriately executed between the first control section 56 and the gameapparatus 3. Specifically, in accordance with an operation performed onthe first controller 5 by the player, the first control section 56generates data indicating the content of the operation in the baseregion 302 (P5). If the extended controller 6 is connected to the firstcontroller 5 and the extended controller 6 is being operated, the secondcontrol section 66 generates the content of the extended data 308, andoutputs the extended data 308 to the first control section 56 via themicrocomputer 59 (P6). The first control section 56 includes, in thetransmission data 300, the extended data 308 outputted from the secondcontrol section 66 via the microcomputer 59, and transmits thetransmission data 300 to the game apparatus 3 (in this case, the formatdescribed with reference to FIG. 6 and the report ID 305 correspondingto the format are used) (P7). Further, the first control section 56receives various kinds of data transmitted from the game apparatus 3,and appropriately controls the first controller 5 (e.g., vibrationcontrol or audio output). The game apparatus 3 performs a predeterminedprocess based on the data transmitted from the first controller 5, andtransmits, according to need, data for controlling the first controller5 to the first control section 56 (P8). Thereafter, the process steps P5to P8 are appropriately repeated.

Next, processes to be performed between the second controller 10 and thegame apparatus 3 will be described. In the present embodiment, after thegame apparatus 3 is activated, the A button (operation button 122A) ofthe second controller 10 is pressed, and thereby the controller 10 isconnected to the game apparatus 3. Thus, the controller 10 becomesusable.

When the player presses the A button of the second controller 10, themicrocomputer 203 detects that the A button is pressed, and notifies thefirst control section 201 of this effect (P9). The A button is anexample, and another button included in the first digital button section204 may be pressed.

Upon receiving the notification that the A button has been pressed, thefirst control section 201 starts a connection process for establishingwireless connection between the first controller 5 and the gameapparatus 3 (P4, P10). This process is similar to the connection processperformed between the first controller 5 and the game apparatus 3.

After the wireless connection between the second controller 10 and thegame apparatus 3 has been established, transmission of operation dataand a process based on the operation data are appropriately executedbetween the first control section 201 (the second controller 10) and thegame apparatus 3. At this time, the content of control performed by thefirst control section 201 is as follows. That is, detection of input tothe first digital button section 204 by the microcomputer 203 and outputof the detected content to the first control section 201 are performed,but the first control section 201 performs control such that dataindicating the result of the detection performed on the first digitalbutton section 204 is not included in the base region 302. On the otherhand, the second control section 202 detects the contents of inputs tothe first digital button section 204, the second digital button section205, and the analog stick section 206. Based on the detection result,the second control section 202 generates extended data 308, and outputsthe extended data 308 to the first control section 202 (P11). The firstcontrol section 201 stores the extended data 308 in the extended region303, and sets a predetermined report ID 305 with the base region 302being filled with null data, thereby generating transmission data 300.Then, the first control section 201 transmits the transmission data 300to the game apparatus 3. The game apparatus 3 performs a predeterminedprocess based on the data transmitted from the second controller 10, andtransmits, according to need, data for controlling the second controller10 to the first control section 202 (P8, P12). Thereafter, the processsteps P11 to P12 are appropriately repeated.

That is, as for the content of the transmission data 300 transmittedfrom the second controller 10, the base region 302 is filled with nulldata, and therefore, the transmission data 300 substantially consists ofthe header region 301 and the extended region 303. That is, the dataindicating the content of operation performed on the second controller10 is transmitted to the game apparatus 3 substantially by using onlythe extended region 303. As described above, the base region 302 itselfis secured although its content is null data, and the base region 302 isincluded in the transmission data 300. Therefore, the same data formatas that used when the first controller 5 transmits the transmission datato the game apparatus 3 can be used as the format of the transmissiondata in the second controller 10. In other words, the developer of gamesoftware is allowed to perform development without being conscious ofdistinction between the first controller 5 and the second controller 10.

As described above, by configuring the second controller 10 so as tohave the shape and button arrangement described with reference to FIGS.7A to 7F, it is possible to provide a controller whose operability isimproved as compared with that of the extended controller 6. That is,the two analog sticks are positioned in the upper right portion and theupper left portion of the housing 102, respectively, when the housing102 is viewed from the front thereof, such that the player is allowed tooperate the sticks with left and right thumbs when holding the grips103L and 103R, respectively. Therefore, it is possible to secure asufficient interval between the two sticks in the horizontal direction,thereby improving the operability of each analog stick.

Further, the cross key 121 and the first operation button set arepositioned inside relative to the two analog sticks. Therefore, ascompared to a controller in which a cross key (whose key top is lowerthan analog sticks) is positioned outside relative to the analog sticks(which are higher than the cross key), it is possible to avoid such asituation that the analog sticks that are higher than the cross keyimpede the player from operating the cross key. Thus, the operability isimproved. The same can be said for the second operation button set. Thatis, since the second operation button set is positioned inside relativeto the two analog sticks, the height of the analog sticks does notinterfere with the player's fingers, which allows the player to easilyoperate these buttons.

Further, since the cross key 121 and the first operation button set arepositioned with a certain interval between them, even if the left andright thumbs are put on the cross key 121 and the first operation buttonset, respectively, the thumbs are prevented from touching andinterfering with each other, and thus the cross key 121 and the firstoperation button set are improved in operability. Further, as formovement of the left thumb between the left stick 111 and the cross key121 and movement of the right thumb between the right stick 112 and thefirst operation button set, the player can move each thumb easily andnaturally with the base of the thumb as a fulcrum point. Therefore, theplayer can easily operate them.

Further, since the parts of the analog sticks, each having a certainvolume in the depth direction because of its configuration when providedon the housing 102, are located in the upper right position and theupper left position of the housing 102, respectively, it is possible toreduce the thickness of the battery storage area of the housing 102 (thearea corresponding to the battery cover 135 when viewed from the backsurface of the housing 102). As a result, when the player holds thegrips 103L and 103R with both hands, there is no obstacle to fingers puton the back surface, which allows the player to easily hold the grips103L and 103R. In addition, the weight balance of the entire controlleris appropriately adjusted in view of ease for holding, which contributesto improvement of operability.

Further, the above-described arrangement of the two analog sticks causesthe left stick 111 and the L button 125L to be positioned close to eachother, and causes the right stick 112 and the R button 125R to bepositioned close to each other. As a result, it is possible to improvethe operability of operation of the L button 125L and the R button 125Rby using left and right index fingers with thumbs being put on theanalog sticks. For example, it is possible to improve the operability ina case where either of the analog sticks and either of the L and Rbuttons 125L and 125R are operated simultaneously.

Further, as described above, the left stick 111 and the right stick 112also serve as push buttons. Since the two analog sticks are positionedsuch that, when the player holds the grips 103, thumbs of his/her bothhands naturally touch the sticks, the player is allowed to push theanalog sticks with the hands and fingers holding the grips 103 being intheir natural positions, and moreover, the player is allowed to easilytilt the analog sticks in the natural positions.

Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, whentransmitting the operation content from the second controller 10 to thegame apparatus 3, the same format as any of the plurality of formats ofthe transmission data used by the first controller 5 (more precisely,any of the formats using the extended region 303) can be used.Therefore, the software asset used in the subordinate model can beutilized in the game apparatus 3 as the superordinate model. Forexample, when developing a game using the second controller 10, thedevelopment knowhow of the subordinate model and the processes (library,module, and the like) used in the development of the subordinate modelcan be utilized in the processes in the game apparatus 3, therebyreducing the burden on the game development and the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, the hardware configuration of thefirst control section 201 of the second controller 10 is substantiallyidentical to that of the first control section 56 of the firstcontroller 5, and the content of control (function) performed by thefirst control section 201 of the second controller 10 is nearlyidentical to that performed by the first control section 56 of the firstcontroller 5. That is, the first control section 56 of the firstcontroller 5 can be used (in terms of hardware and software) as thefirst control section 201 of the second controller 10. Thereby, the costfor manufacturing the second controller 10 can be reduced. Further,since the second control section 66 of the extended controller 6 can beused as the second control section 202, reduction in the manufacturingcost is similarly achieved.

Modification

In the above-described embodiment, as for the content of controlperformed by the first control section 201 of the second controller 10,the content of operation performed on the first digital button section204 is not included in the base region 302 (data in the base region 302is not generated). Alternatively, for example, the result of detectionperformed on some buttons, specifically the system operation buttons123A to 123C, may be stored in the base region 302. These buttons areused for stopping the game process to return to the home screen, ratherthan for direct game operation. Therefore, when input operationsperformed on these buttons are included also in the base region 302 andtransmitted, operation directly controlled by the system of the gameapparatus 3 can be detected reliably, for example, recovery operation orthe like can be executed securely.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The game system and the game controller according to the presentembodiment can improve operability, utilize software asset of asubordinate model, and achieve reduction in the hardware cost, andtherefore, are useful as game controllers or the like of various kindsof game apparatuses and personal computers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   -   1 game system    -   2 monitor    -   2 a speaker    -   3 game apparatus    -   5 first controller    -   6 extended controller    -   8 marker section    -   10 second controller    -   20 third controller    -   21 display section    -   22 touch panel    -   23 analog stick    -   24 operation button    -   51 housing    -   52 operation section    -   53 connector    -   54 LED    -   55 image pickup element    -   61 analog stick    -   63 operation button    -   64 connection cable    -   65 connector    -   66 grip section    -   101 controller    -   102 housing    -   103L grip (left)    -   103R grip (right)    -   111 left stick    -   112 right stick    -   121 cross key    -   122A operation button    -   122B operation button    -   122C operation button    -   122D operation button    -   123A minus button    -   123B home button    -   123C plus button    -   125L L button    -   125R R button    -   126L ZL button    -   126R ZR button    -   128 power operation button    -   131A LED    -   131B LED    -   131C LED    -   131D LED    -   132 charging indicator    -   133 charging connector    -   135 battery cover    -   136 connect button    -   137 reset button

The invention claimed is:
 1. A game system including at least a firstgame apparatus, a first game controller, and a second game controller,wherein the first game controller is configured to be used by both thefirst game apparatus and a second game apparatus that is another gameapparatus having compatibility with the first game apparatus, and thefirst game controller comprises: a predetermined operation key; a sensorsection; a connection section to which an extended controller isconnectable; and a first transmission section that, during execution ofa predetermined game process, generates transmission data having a dataformat including a first data region that contains predetermined headerinformation, a second data region that contains key data indicating thecontent of operation performed on the operation key, and a third dataregion that contains first operation data indicating the contents ofoperations performed on the sensor section and the extended controller,and transmits the transmission data to the first game apparatus by meansof wireless communication, and the second game controller comprises: afirst operation section including at least a plurality of operationkeys; and a second transmission section that, during execution of apredetermined game process, generates transmission data in which thefirst data region, the second data region, and the third data region arearranged in the same order as in the data format generated by the firsttransmission section, and predetermined header information is stored inthe first data region, second operation data indicating the content ofoperation performed on the first operation section is stored in thethird data region, and the second data region is merely secured as aregion, and transmits the transmission data to the first game apparatusby means of wireless communication.
 2. The game system according toclaim 1, wherein the first game controller has a vertically longhousing, a plurality of operation keys are provided, the sensor sectionincludes at least an image pickup section, an acceleration sensor, andan angular velocity sensor, the second game controller includes ahousing having grips held by left and right hands of a player, and thefirst operation section comprises: a first stick that is provided at anupper left position in a front surface of the housing of the second gamecontroller, which position allows the player to operate the first stickwith a thumb of his/her left hand when the player holds the grips; asecond stick that is provided at an upper right position in the frontsurface of the housing of the second game controller, which positionallows the player to operate the second stick with a thumb of his/herright hand when the player holds the grips; a direction key that isprovided at a position close to the center of the housing relative tothe first stick on the front surface of the housing, which positionallows the player to operate the direction key with the thumb of theleft hand when the player holds the grips; a plurality of first typeoperation buttons that are provided at a position close to the center ofthe housing relative to the second stick on the front surface of thehousing, which position allows the player to operate the first typeoperation buttons with the thumb of the right hand when the player holdsthe grips; one or more second type operation button(s) that is providedat a position close to the center of the housing relative to the firststick and the second stick on the front surface of the housing, andabove the direction key and the plurality of first type operationbuttons; a third type operation button that is provided at a positionbeneath the second type operation button(s) on the front surface of thehousing, and between the direction key and the plurality of first typeoperation buttons; and a plurality of fourth type operation buttonsprovided at positions in the vicinity of left and right ends of an uppersurface of the housing of the second game controller, respectively,which positions allow the player to operate the fourth type operationbuttons with his/her left and right index fingers, respectively, whenthe player holds the grips.
 3. The game system according to claim 1further comprising: a third game controller that wirelessly communicateswith the first game apparatus by using a wireless communication protocoldifferent from that used by the first game controller and the secondgame controller.
 4. The game system according to claim 3, wherein thethird game controller comprises: a display section; a second operationsection; a video reception section that receives video data from thefirst game apparatus; a display control section that causes the displaysection to display a video based on the received video data; and a thirdtransmission section that transmits transmission data to the first gameapparatus, based on an operation performed on the second operationsection.
 5. A game controller that is configured to be used whenconnected to a first game apparatus by using the same wireless protocolas that used by a first controller, the first controller being used byboth the first game apparatus and a second game apparatus that isanother game apparatus having compatibility with the first gameapparatus, and the first controller comprising: an operation key; asensor section; a connection section to which an extended controller isconnectable; and a first transmission section that, during execution ofa predetermined game process, generates transmission data having a dataformat including a first data region that contains predetermined headerinformation, a second data region that contains key data indicating thecontent of operation performed on the operation key, and a third dataregion that contains first operation data indicating the contents ofoperations performed on the sensor section and the extended controller,and transmits the transmission data to the first game apparatus by meansof wireless communication, wherein the game controller comprises: anoperation section including at least a plurality of operation keys; anda second transmission section that, during execution of a predeterminedgame process, generates transmission data in which the first dataregion, the second data region, and the third data region are arrangedin the same order as in the data format generated by the firsttransmission section, and predetermined header information is stored inthe first data region, second operation data indicating the content ofoperation performed on the operation section is stored in the third dataregion, and the second data region is merely secured as a region, andtransmits the transmission data to the first game apparatus by means ofwireless communication.
 6. The game controller according to claim 5including a housing having grips held by left and right hands of aplayer, wherein the control section comprises: a first stick that isprovided at an upper left position in a front surface of the housing ofthe game controller, which position allows the player to operate thefirst stick with a thumb of his/her left hand when the player holds thegrips; a second stick that is provided at an upper right position in thefront surface of the housing of the game controller, which positionallows the player to operate the second stick with a thumb of his/herright hand when the player holds the grips; a direction key that isprovided at a position close to the center of the housing relative tothe first stick on the front surface of the housing, which positionallows the player to operate the direction key with the thumb of theleft hand when the player holds the grips; a plurality of first typeoperation buttons that are provided at a position close to the center ofthe housing relative to the second stick on the front surface of thehousing, which position allows the player to operate the first typeoperation buttons with the thumb of the right hand when the player holdsthe grips; one or more second type operation button(s) that is providedat a position close to the center of the housing relative to the firststick and the second stick on the front surface of the housing, andabove the direction key and the plurality of first type operationbuttons; a third type operation button that is provided at a positionbeneath the second type operation button(s) on the front surface of thehousing, and between the direction key and the plurality of first typeoperation buttons; and a plurality of fourth type operation buttonsprovided at positions in the vicinity of left and right ends of an uppersurface of the housing of the game controller, respectively, whichpositions allow the player to operate the fourth type operation buttonswith his/her left and right index fingers, respectively, when the playerholds the grips.
 7. The game controller according to claim 5, whereinthe second transmission section includes, in the second data region,third operation data indicating the content of operation performed on apart of the plurality of operation keys included in the operationsection, thereby to generate the transmission data, and transmits thetransmission data.
 8. The game controller according to claim 7, whereinthe second transmission section regards, as the third operation data,data indicating the content of operation performed on the second typeoperation button among the plurality of operation keys included in theoperation section.
 9. The game system according to claim 2 furthercomprising: a third game controller that wirelessly communicates withthe first game apparatus by using a wireless communication protocoldifferent from that used by the first game controller and the secondgame controller.
 10. The game system according to claim 9, wherein thethird game controller comprises: a display section; a second operationsection; a video reception section that received video data from thefirst game apparatus; a display control section that causes the displaysection to display a video based on the received video data; and a thirdtransmission section that transmits transmission data to the first gameapparatus, based on an operation performed on the second operationsection.